Governor Announces $25.3 Million in Environmental Protection Fund Grants for Projects Across New York

Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced $25.3 million in Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) grants awarded to local communities and organizations across New York State to assist with waterfront revitalization projects, historic preservation efforts, expanding open space, and increasing access to public lands.

The EPF, created in 1993, is primarily funded through the real estate transfer tax and provides a dedicated source of funding for a variety of environmental projects and programs administered by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

"This vital funding helps make cultural and recreational opportunities available to all New Yorkers and countless visitors, and contributes to the economic revitalization of our state," said Governor Spitzer. "Funding for local communities and organizations to undertake these important environmental projects will preserve and protect our valuable natural resources and promote New York’s rich historic and cultural tradition."

Senator Carl Marcellino, Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee said: "The Environmental Protection Fund is the engine which drives a myriad of programs which improve the air, water, and quality of life for all New Yorkers. Whether it is protecting open space, or revitalizing waterfronts, the EPF gets it done. These projects are examples of our commitment to protecting our ecosystems while maintaining the quality of life we have all come to expect in New York State."

Senator Mary Lou Rath, Chair of the Senate Tourism, Recreation and Sports Development Committee said: "I am pleased to see that the NYS Departments of Parks and Agriculture and Markets will be providing $25.3 Million to the Environmental Protection Fund in order to provide and expand open space and public lands. It is wonderful that so many of Western New York’s treasures, such as Graycliff and the Roycroft Campus, will be able to benefit from this funding, creating more opportunities for tourists and state residents to enjoy them."

Assemblyman Bob Sweeney, Chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee said: "Perhaps the most important accomplishment of the 2007 Legislative Session was the enactment of legislation to increase the EPF to $300 million. The additional funding for the EPF will fuel substantial increases in EPF programs such as municipal parks, waterfront revitalization, municipal recycling, open space land acquisition, farmland protection, as well as wastewater treatment projects, invasive species management and Ocean and Great Lakes initiatives."

Assemblyman Steven Englebright, chair of the Assembly Tourism Committee said: "The natural and cultural landscapes of New York are endowed with powerful beauty and character. These funds will help to maintain, enhance, protect and preserve the natural, cultural and historic resources that define communities across our great state."

Carol Ash, Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said: "The EPF provides valuable resources for local communities across the state to enhance parkland, protect historic resources and expand open space available to the public. The grants enhance the character of local communities and provide long term benefits to the environment."

Pete Grannis, Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, said: "For years, the Environmental Protection Fund has provided critical aid for important tasks such as protecting open space, closing landfills and funding recycling programs. Its success is one of the state's best story lines of the last 14 years."

Patrick Hooker, Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, said: "New York is a beautiful place to live. We have a scenic and productive landscape, an abundance of natural resources and a history rich in culture and folklore. The EPF has been instrumental in preserving this rich heritage, and these grants will help continue the legacy throughout New York State."

The EPF’s parks program provides for 50 percent matching funds in several program areas including parks development, open space acquisition, historic preservation and the State’s Heritage Area system. Funds may be awarded to indoor and outdoor projects and must reflect priorities established in the New York State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

The following is a breakdown by region of the EPF funding administered through the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation:

City of New York Dept. of Parks and Recreation (Bronx) $500,000City of New York Dept. of Parks and Recreation (Bronx)/Bronx River Alliance $500,000East Midwood Jewish Center (Kings) $409,575Prospect Park Alliance (Kings) $500,000Sons of the Revolution of the State of NY (New York) $400,000SS Columbia Project (New York) $400,000St. Bartholomew’s Church (New York) $200,000Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (Queens) $500,000City of New York Dept. of Parks and Recreation (Queens) $500,000